Theme: 03. Green and Sustainable Remediation

Topic Area: 3a. GSR Best Practices and Nature-Based Remediation Case Studies

Formatted Title:

Integrating Nature-Based Solutions into Long-Term Monitoring Methodologies at Reclamation Sites: A Pilot Study

Background/Objectives:

Many reclamation sites have remedy solutions that include vegetation rehabilitation to protect the environment and human health. Once a remedy has been implemented, routine assessments commence, including vegetation species and diversity surveys, weed control, bare area assessments, and other components of remedy success. Long-term monitoring requirements can span decades, impacting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals for carbon emissions reduction, increased biodiversity, financial reserve planning, and enhancing community economic value.

In partnership with BeeOdiversity, a pilot study was developed using bees as a data collection mechanism for assessing vegetation diversity and quality across sites and regions, to achieve three objectives: a) determine the applicability this nature-based solution to supplement or complement current “boots-on-the-ground” vegetation monitoring standard practices; b) evaluate opportunities for ecosystem enhancement at the site, and consider site relationship and contribution to biodiversity characteristics in surrounding communities, using the findings from the pilot study; and c) assess ESG impacts and benefits of this alternate monitoring methodology.

Approach/Activities:

A remediation site in Montana was selected for the pilot study for multiple reasons, including a contemporaneous, planned vegetation monitoring assessment which was used for data comparison purposes. The site was also deemed beneficial for piloting as the data can help to serve as baseline and enhanced information to assess ecosystem impacts for an upcoming remedy alternatives analysis. The size of the pilot study site is expected to be smaller than a typical bee colony’s foraging range, so the proximity and general characteristics of surrounding rural and urban environments needed to be considered to understand potential data interference and wider regional biodiversity impact from on- versus off-site samples collected by the bees as part of the applicability assessment.

Results/Lessons Learned:

This presentation will discuss additional details of the pilot study design and scientific methodology, lessons learned during implementation, and data interpretation and applicability findings. In addition, based on data analysis and interpretation provided by BeeOdiversity, the presentation will introduce opportunities for biodiversity enhancement in terms of plant species diversity, ecological gaps, and additional indicators such as nutritional indicators for pollinator health at the pilot study site. Finally, a review of ESG impacts will be presented for a potential second-phase, larger-scale implementation of the methodology.

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Michael van Cutsem